Latch device



y 29, 1945- w. A. ENDTER 2,376,992

LATCH DEVICE Filed Feb. 28, 1944 '7 Sheets-Sheet l Qi gm mag a MW? ATQAWEY.

y 1945- w. A. ENDTER LATCH DEVICE Filed Feb. 28, 1944 7 Sheets-Sheet 2MLDEMAQA wm mw ATTOPAIEY.

W. A. ENDTER LATCH DEVICE May 29, 1945.

Filed Feb. 28 1944 '7 Sheets-Sheet 3 mmvron. ENDTER,

HQL EMAQA i T1 Wm A TTOEWE-Y.

y 1945- w. A. ENDTER 2,376,992

LATCH DEVICE Filed Feb. 28, 1944 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 VIZ 440511414214.Ever-E2,

INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

May 29, 1945. w. A. ENDTER 2,375,992

LATCH DEVICE Filed Feb. 28, 1944 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN V EN TOR. WmDEM/IRA. Eivo 752,

A rraewe-Y.

May 1945- w. A. ENDTER 2,376,992

' LATCH DEVICE Filed Feb. 28, 1944 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 W41. 0544,42 A EM)15/9,

IN V EN TOR.

ATTOEA/E)! Patented May 29, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE m'rcnmsvrcn Waldemar A. Endter, Long Beach, Calif. 'Application February 28,1944, Serial No. 524,163

23 Claims.

This invention relates to latch mechanisms of the general type in whicha. keeper, carried for example by a stationary member and positioned inthe path of a movable bolt carried by a closure member, is engageable bythe bolt in a latched position thereof, and a take-up force or thrust isexerted by way of the bolt against the keeper to crowd the closuretoward and against the stationary member. The particular objects andadvances in the art contemplated by the invention can perhaps. beexplained to better advantage by preliminary reference to certaingeneral structural and operating characteristics of the heretofore knownand conventional latch mechanisms of this type.

It has been a. customary practice to employ in latch mechanisms a bolt,for example of the rotary type, movements of which in both retractive oranti-latching and in advancing or latching directions, respectively areresisted and caused by a force applied directly to the bolt. Forexample, a common practice is to apply a springurged cam directlyagainst the bolt so that in its initial keeper engaging movement, thebolt displaces the cam against the resistance of its spring, and thespring thereafter urges the cam against the bolt. Accordingly, theextent and efilciency of the take-up actionis'limited by the degree ofmechanical advantage obtainable by the cam action directly against'abolt having no capacity for bodily movement relative to the closure.Another characteristic of such conventional latch mechanisms is that thesecurity with which the latched bolt is assured against accidentalrelease, is dependent upon the ability of the holding or cam means torestrain anti -latching movement of the bolt.

The general object of this invention is to provide a new type of latchmechanism in which the parts have such structural and operatingcharacteristics as to materially improve, over known tinction with theconventional practice, the takeup action occurs by virtue of bodilyrelative movement between the bolt and closure and the exertion ofopposing thrusts against the two. As will later appear, the bolt andkeeper are brought into such inter-engaging relationship as to precludethe possibility, even though the take-up mechanism should fail in itsintended function, of'accidenta-l or inadvertent movement of the boltfrom an initial .latched position beyond which the take-up actionoccurs. a

A further object of the invention is to provide a take-up mechanism inwhich the keeper engaging thrust is imparted to the bolt through theintermediary. of a relatively movable member to which the take-up'forceis applied, as by means of a spring-urged cam. Preferably, thoughtypically in the broad aspects of the invention, such cam-urged membermay serve also as a carrier for the. bolt. A specific object, applyingto the herein illustrative form of the invention, is to employ apivotally mounted bolt carrier member which is pivotally connected tothe bolt so that the bolt is capable of relative and independentlatching and anti-latching movement but --is latch mechanisms, thesafety and securityof the bolt engagement with the keeper, the facilitywith which the bolt is engageable to latched position in the keeper, andthe effectiveness and range of the take-up action in crowding thelatched members together. In accordance with the invention, I employ thegeneral combination of a bodily movable keeper-engaging bolt and atake-up mechanism associated withthe bolt and with a part of the latchstructure movable relative to the bolt, in a manner such that in thelatched position of the bolt, the take-up mechanism acts to advance theclosure member in a closing direction away from the bolt. Indisadapted.- to be crowded against the keeper by force tending to rotatethe carrier member. Such force preferably is applied by a spring-urgedcam, which also may conveniently be mounted on thelcarrier member so asto engage a stationary part of the latch structure. 1

An additional object is to provide, in conjunction with the bolt andtake-up mechanism, means precluding the possibility of interference withfree movement of the bolt to a fully latched position, by the take-upmechanism. This object is achieved by means operating automatically inaccordance with and by. virtue ofcertain movements of the bolt, to holdthe take-up mechanism ineffective to resist latching projection of thebolt, but releasing the take-up mechanism when the bolt has reached alatched position from which it cannot be withdrawn except undercontrolof the operator parts.

The invention has numerousadditional features and objects, such asimproved bolt and cam releasing means, control mechanisms and lockingdevices. All these, however,-as, well as the features andobjectsreferred to in "the foregoing, will be understood and appreciatedfrom the following detailed description of the typical and illustrativeembodiments of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, and inwhich:

Fig. l'is an elevation at the inside of thecase,

a "in locked condition;

' Fig.2 is a section on line 1-: of Fig. 1';

, Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentaryelevation at the bolt side of thecase;

Fig. 4 is across-section on line 7 Figs. 5, 8 and 7 are views taken toillustrate 'the progre'ssive positions of thebolt, yoke and. cam as .thebolt is advanced to fully latched posi- 7 tion between the'keeper's;

Figs. 8 and 9 are sidejand endelevations, re

' spectively, of the bolt; 1

Figs. 10 and 11 are plan and edge views. re}

spectively, of the retracting slide; Figs. 12 and 13 are side and edgevviews xr 1' spectively, of'the'cam;

Figs..14. and 15 are end-and side views, respectively, of the yoke; l

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary enlarged view on line l6--I6 ofFig. 4, with thebolt inretractedposition topermit its insertion through the' 'case qnins; r I Fig. 17 is a view similar to Fig. 16 showing the bolt in itsprojected or keeper-engaging position; p s 3 Fig. 18 is a fragmentaryview showing a variational'formof cam; and

4 40! Fig. 3;'

and to pivotal mountings, and to a desirable interfltting and two-pointbearing relationship of the yoke and bolt.

in Figs. 8 and 9, the bolt liisshown to will prise spacedend portions 22and 23 having axially alinedopenings 24 and interconnectedby a bridgepiece 20 oflset from the openings. A hollow flange portion 21, integralwith 23 and 20, has an outer surface "23 of arcuate curvature about theaxial center 0 of the openings 24. the flange2'l having an extension 23projecting beyond the edge of the end'portion 23, as shown in Fig. 9.Portion 22 has an integral extension arm 33 carryinga projection 3iengageable by the later described slide memberto retract the bolt. Thecam 2|, see Figs. 12 and 13, comprises'a plate 32 having a shaftreceiving opening 33 and a flanged edge portion 34, the outer surface35. i

of which hassmooth curvature at an increasing radius clockwise about theopening 33, as viewed l l punched-out,

in Fig. .12. The cam also carries a lug 36. the purpose of which willlater appear.x;

As illustrated in Figs. 1-1 and 15, theyoke 23 has spaced end portions31 and 38 with axially I Fig. 19 is a similar view illustrating afurther.

variational form of cam mechanism.

Referring flrst to Figs. 1 and 2, the latch mech anism may be describedgenerally as comprising a case structure Ill having right angle sectionsor flange portions II and 12 carrying respective ly thebolt and camassembly i3, and the operating mechanism i4 for retracting the'bolt andcam from latched relation to thekeeper. it. As

alined openings 39 and 40 to receive the later described pins or shafts.The end portions 31 and 38 are interconnected by a bridge piece 4|underlying the openings 39. Portion 31 carries a flange 42 which forms acompanionate closure section with the later described outer housing orbracket 44. The circularly curvedportion 31a of the end part 31 isadapted to be -received 5 within the end recess 43 ofthe bolt, see Fig.8,

will be understood, the' case-carried parts and the. keeper I5 areapplicable individually to either of a pair of relatively movablemembers, for example, a door. or other closure into which the caseassembly is ,fltted in the usual manner;

- and a stationary member or' pillar to which the keeper I5 is affixed.It may-be'mentioned that the present mechanism is particularly adaptableto the latching andlockingof automobile doors. and exceptionally so byreason of various particularities of the typical form hereinillustrated; but it is to be understood that in its broad as--;

bringing the corresponding end portionsof the yoke and bolt intointerfltted relation, as they appear in Fig. .4.

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4, the case section.

II carries an outwardly projecting semi-housing or bracket 44 which isinserted from the inside of the case through an opening 45, the insideflange portion 46 of the bracket being welded or otherwise secured tothe case. Also at its inside. the case section i I carries a deck 41,the shape of which is' shown by the dot-dash lines in Figs. 16

and 17. The yoke 20 is piv tally mounted on "a stationary shaft 48extending through the'yoke pects, the utility of the invention extendsto vari-i ous uses for which latch mechanisms commonly are employed. 7

The keeper structure It maybe 01' the type comprisinga base It to besecured inthe usual "I manner to the stationary member or 'doorpil-jlarjand carrying a pair of spaced keeper prodections II and I 8, betweenwhich parts of the door-carried mechanism are received to form adovetail in the latched condition of the mechanism," all as willlaterappear.

Referring to Fig. 2, the principal-parts of the assembly II are thepivotally oscillatory bolt It; the pivoted carrier yoke 20 and the camdevice '2! (which it is contemplated may comprise any} suitable numberof individual cams, one. being; shown as typical and preferred). Istanding of the structure and'operation of the assembly views may befacilitated by a descrip- 'tion first of the individual bolt, camandyoke parts. as particularly illustrated in Figs. 8; 9, and, ticularpurpose of the latch mechanism these parts 'may take different speciflcshapes andj forms. In an automobile door latch'they are 12 to 15.Depending upon the type-and par- An .underpreferably shaped in themanner; illustrated to openings 39 and terminating in the bracket 44 anddeck 41. The cam 2| is positioned inside the case, with shaft illextending through itsopening 33 and the cam flange 34 turned toward thecase section II. The bolt i9 is pivotally carried by a pin ill extendingthrough the bolt openings 24 and terminating in the end portions '31 and38 of the yoke 20. Thus the bolt is pivotallyconnected to and carried bythe yoke; and the cam,

bolt and yoke assembly is pivotally movable on a the shaft 48.

1 As the drawings illustrate, the flang portion 21 of the bolt forms aclosure companionate with the open top portion of the bracket 44 at oneside thereof, and the yoke flange 42 similarly forms a closure betweenthe bolt and the opposite top and side portions of the bracket. Asillustrated in Fig. 3, the case section II, contains a pin 5| carrying ahead or roller 52 engageable with and guiding the inner face 53 of thecam flange 34. Referring to Fig. 2, the curved surface 35 of the camengages a stationary portion of the case structure as ple the innersurface 54 0f section I2. Thus rotation of the cam in oppositedirections along the case surface 54, produces oscillatory movementofpin to and the yoke" about shaft 48. Such movement also is imparted tothe bolt 1 9. but by reason of its pivotal mounting onthe pin 58, thebolt is capable of independent oscillation.

. From Figs. 6 and 7 it will be seen thatthe positions of shaft 48 andpin 58 are such with relation to the interengagingbolt and keepersurfaces, that advancing or counter-clockwise rotation of the cam tendsto thrust the bolt more tightly against the keeper and to create anopposing thrust crowding the door against the usual cushion carried bythe pillar- The bolt I8 .is thrust to its projected position and in thepath of the keeper, and is yieldably restrained against anti-latchingrotation relative to the yoke 28, .by suitable spring means, showntypically as a coil spring 55 carried about the pin 58 with the ends 58and 51. of the spring bearing respectively against the flanged portions21 and 42 of the bolt and yoke. Releasing rotation of the cam 2| aboutpin 58 is independently resisted by a second coil spring 58 carriedabout the pin between the cam and the case section I I, see Fig. 4, oneend 58 of the spring bearing against the stationary abutment 88 and theopposite end 8| bearing against the cam, as by insertion within anopening 82 therein, see Fig. 3. Showings of the springs have beenomitted in Figs. 5, 6, and 7 in order to clarify and simplify the views.

The bolt I8 and cam 2| are movable from their projected or advancedpositions shown in Fig. 3, to the retracted positions appearing in Fig.16, by a longitudinally reciprocable slide link 88 paralleling theinside of the case section II and containing an elongated slot 64receiving the stationary guide pin 85. As shown in Figs. 10 and 11, theintermediate portion of the slide link is doubled upon itself to form aprojection 88 engageable by the later described actuating parts. Theoflset end portion 61 beyond the projection 68 contains an opening 68which receives the projection 8| carried by the arm portion 88 of thebolt to form a lost motion connection between the slide link and thebolt. As shown in Figs. 2 and 1'7, upon upward'movement of the slidelink, its top end is engageable against the cam lug 38 to rotate the camin a releasing direction. During the first interval of such linkmovement, the bolt remains unaifected by reason of the lost motionconnection providedby the slot 68 and projection 3|, but upondisplacement of the cam to substantially its released position, thelower edge 88a of the slot engages the projection 3| to swing the boltabout pin 58 in an anti-latching direction.

At this point, reference may be had to the method of applying theinitially assembled bra cket 44, deck 41, slide link 83 and all partscarried by the shaft 48 and pin 58,. to the case section II and withinthe bracket opening 45. By positioning the assembly at the inside of theopening and shifting link 83 upward to bring the bolt to the fullyretracted position of Fig. 16, the bolt and. bracket assembly may beinserted through the opening 45 to the position at which flange 48 andthe deck 41 may be rigidly secured to the case. Upward swinging of thebolt toits projected position then is permitted by the case section IIabove the bracket opening being received within the bolt space 68, seeFig. 8, upward swinging of the bolt being limited by the engagement ofshoulder 18 against the edge 1| of the bracket opening, see Fig.4.

7 The general function of the operating mechanism I4 is to control theslide link 83 in a manner permitting manual release of the cam and boltfrom the inside or outside of the door, and permitting also locking ofthe operator parts at either the inside or outside of the door. The

main slide link actuating lever 18 pivoted on pin 14 has an arm portion15 engageablev against the under side oi the slide link projection. 88,see Fig. l. The usual inside handle controlled link 18 has a pin andslot connection at" with the' upper portion of the lever 18, so thatmovement of link 18 to the rightswings the lever to raise the slide link88. When otherwise actuated in a corresponding direction, the lever 18is independently movable relative to link 18, by virtue of the lostmotion, pin and slot connection at 11.

The outside operator comprises the usual spindle socket 18 rotatablewithin the case-carried bracket plate 18, the socket having an integralarm 88 pivotally connected at 8| with link 82 which in turn has a lostmotion connection with the lever 18 by way of pin 88 received within anarcuate slot 84 in the lever. Downward swinging movement of the arm 88is transmitted through 'link82 to the lever 18, causing its arm 15 toelee vate the slide link 53. The outside operator is unaflected bymovement of the lever by link 18 in the manner explained, by reason ofthe lost motion, pin and slot connection 88, 84 between link 82 and thelever.

The slide link 88 normally is maintained in its lower or bolt and camreleasing position, by an arm 85 pivotally carried on pin 14 andyieldably- 88 on the link 82 to resist swinging thereof in a cam andbolt releasing direction.

A locking element 8| pivotally carried by pin 82 is adapted to be swunginto the path of the lever 13, as in Fig. 1 wherein the end 83 of thelocking element is shown to be brought opposite a shoulder 84 on thelever, to block the latter against latch releasing by either the insideor outside operators. The locking element 8| normally is swungclockwisefrom the position illustrated and out of the path of the shoulder 84.The element may be swung into locking relation with the lever bydownward movement of the push button 85 and its rod 86 at the inside ofthe door, or by turning of the key controlled spindle 81 at the outsideof the door.

The push button rod 86 is pivotally connected at 88 with the lockingelement and the latter is releasably held in its locked position by aspring 88 supported at I by bearing against a projecting end of thepivot 88 at the inside of the element. Upon release from lockingpositionby elevation of the rod 86, the element 8| is held in its releasedposition by engagement of the angular portion I8| of the spring againstthe pivot 88. The end portion of the spring is shown to be engageableagainst a stationary stop 285.

The key controlled spindle 81 is keyed to a flange I82 containing anarcuate recess I83, the

ends of which are engageable by the spindlecarried lug I84. The flangeI82 also provides a gear segment comprising teeth I85 inter-meshing withteeth. I85'-on the end of the locking element 8|. I As will be apparent,rotation of the spindle 81in either, direction engages lug I84 againstthe ends of the recess I83 to swing element 8| in a releasing or lookingdirection, as the case may be. Also it will be understood that the pushbutton rod 86 and the ,key controlled spindle 81 are independentlyoperable to control the position of the locking element 8|.

- take-up.

As previously indicated, and as will later more fully appear, movementof the bolt ll against the keeper as the door swings from open to2,370,992 V I I I closing direction-beyond the position of Fig.6. and-topress the bottom surface a of the hbus-v ing tightly against the bearingsurface illof the lower keeper projection I]. When the bolt."

closed and latched position,- causes-the slide 6! to -shift upwardly.say. to a position approaching F that in Fig. 16, and to move the cam ina re-jleasinsdirection. It 'is desirable that inthe. event the'latchmechanism happens to be locked the open position of the door, thelocking ale- 3 ent of the door, and'specificallyby virtue of ent bereleasable as an incident to closing move? placement of the bolt uponits engagement.

against the keeper.. For this purpose the arm 854s provided with acurved cam surface I06 which, as the arm swings clockwise and the slide1 link 63 is raised, engages and cams the upper fiend of the lockingelement 91 to swing the latter to its'released position. I

In considering the operation of the mechanisms, first assume the door.to be in open position with thebolt disengaged from the keeper thekeeper, bringing the bolt face 28 into engageand the parts to bepositioned substantiallyas inFig. 5 except that the bolt is projectedup-l wardly under the influence of spring 56 to a position limited bythe engagement of the bolt shoulder 10 against the edge H of the case.open-j.

ing 45. The bracket 44 first enters between the keepers l'l and -I8 andin close proximity to the bearing surface I01 of theiatter, and thecurved surface I08 of the bolt engages against the end surface I09 ofthe keeper l1 causing the bolt to-become deflected or cammed' downwardlyto a position clearing the lower edge ll0 of thekeeper.

Thebolt'then snaps upwardly into a safety catch position in which thebolt is re-] ceived within the keeper recess I ll having a sur-} face II2 curved in accordance with the curvature of the outer face 28 of thebolt. as will be ap-,

parent, the bolt is securely maintained in this x safety catch positionagainst accidental release by any outward pressure or vibration appliedto the bolt. Upon further closing movement of the door and latch arts,the'bolt is cammed down-1 i wardly by engagement with the keeper surface2l2, during which movement projection 3| on the bolt arm so elevates theslide link a dis tance sufiicient to cause the link, by virtue ofengagement or blocking association with the cam lug 38, toprevent'downward swinging of the cam under the influence of spring 58.Thus it is important to observe that when the bolt reaches the positionat which it' can swing into the latched condition of Fig. 6,- thelatching location of the bolt is unopposed by the cam thrust that islater brought into play for purposes of the Thus upon riding past thelower-ex tent of the keeper surface 2I2, the bolt is free to snap intothe osition of Fig. 6. Another feature of importance is the fact that byvirtue of the corresponding curved configuration of the bolt and keepersurfaces 28 andgllii, the bolt.

must necessarily project fully to its Fig. 6 posi-f 3 7 tion, therebyobviating the condition frequently encountered in other latchmechanisms, of the bolt only partially entering its latched position andto a limited degree from which the bolt is liable to become accidentallydislodged and re-f leased from the keeper. I

the position. of Fig. 6, the, slide link 83 ,auto-. matically isshifteddownward and away from the After .the bolt assumes cam lug 3G by thethrust of arm 85, thus freeing the cam for action in effectingthetake-up.

The-purpose and function of the cam.2l is. to.

provide a multiple component take-up acting to forcibly and tightly urgethe door in a further has entered the keeper to the-position of Fig. 8,

spring "acts to urge-the cam downwardly or in a counter-clockwisedirection to a degree permitted by any slackness in the doorandpillarcushion engagement, bringing the cam for example to the positionshown in Fig. '7. The effect of the .cam rotation is to exert byway ofpin 50 a thrust tending to swing the carrier 31 about the stationarypivot, and to crowd the bolt against the keeper. in this take-upaction-of the cam, the bolt has 'a rocking motion against ment witha-straight surface I I4 directly beyond its curved surface 3. Thus'thecam causes opposing .thrusts to be exerted against the case explained.Referring to Fig. 17, and assuming the bolt l9 and cam 2| to bein theirfully latched positions, upon upward displacement, the slide link 63first engages the cam lug 38 to retract the cam in advance of and topermit easy retraction of the bolt. By the time the link shoulder 68a israised to aposition of engagement with the bolt carried projection 3|,the cam will havev become retracted to permit continued upward movementof the link to swingthe bolt downward about pin 50 to the position ofFig. 16. When the door is opened and the operator released, arm returnsthe bolt and slide link to their normal positions of Fig. 17.

a Fig. 18 illustrates a variational form'of cam characterized by itshaving self-locking characteristics in relation to its engagement withthe For simplicity of illustration, the view is made essentiailydiagrammatic, showing only the. bolt and case surface against which itbears.

"cam, their mounting, and their relation to the slide link and bearingsurface of the case. Here the .cam H6 is shown to have successivestraight bearing surfaces H1 engageable' against the case. section 12and of substantially equal. angular) extent. The surfaces H1 extend atprogressively 7 increasing radial distances about and counterclockwiseof the pivot 50. As the cam is springthrust' downward, in the mannerpreviously ex- "plained, to the dotted line position 1a, the bolt l9.assumes the dotted position 19a, and when the cam is further advanced tothe dash line position lllb, the'bolt is thrust further to the dash lineposition I9b. As will be apparent,- by virtue of its bearing surfaceconfiguration, the cam functions both as a camming element and a holdingdog to lock the bolt and associated parts against retractive movementfromthe positions assumed by the cam when infiat engagement with thecase surface.

Fig. 19 similarly illustrates the use of a cam and dogging or holdingelement in combination.

Here the cam H8 corresponds in shape and op eration to the cam-2| in thefirst described form of the invention, the cam having a curved surfaceH9v engageable with the'case section 12. 'I'he'locking dog may comprise.a plate-like element pivoted on the pin ill alongside the cam and havingsuccessive flat bearing surfaces l2i corresponding to the bearingsurfaces ill on the cam in Fig. 18. The cam and locking dog may be urgedagainst the case ii by any suitable spring means, not shown. If for anyreason retractive movement of the cam Ill should occur, maintenance ofthe bolt is in the furthest projected position to which it may havebecome advanced by the cam, is assured by the engagement of the lockingdog I20 against the case surface. The locking dog and cam aresequentially releasable from bearing engagement with the case by upwardmovement of the slide link 63, whereupon the link first engages lug I22on the locking dog and swings the latter to a position of engagementagainst lug I23 on the cam so that in the final movement of the slidelink, the locking dog and cam are retracted together.

While in the foregoing consideration of the diiferent forms of theinvention I have referred to the use of spring means for actuating thecam, and to cam locking means as shown in Figs. 18 and 19, it will beunderstood that the security of the latch effected by the bolt isindependent of the cam spring, locking means, Orin fact of the camitself. That is to say, when the bolt is projected to the position ofFig. 6, its security against retraction is independent of the cam parts.The latter are responsible for the take-up but impose no limitation onthe security of the latch.

I claim:

1. A latching mechanism applicable to a stationary member and a swingingclosure member. comprising a keeper to be carried by one of saidmembers, a keeper-engaging bolt to be carried by the other of saidmembers and bodily movable relative thereto, and means operable to holdthe bolt against the keeper and at the same time to swing the closuremember toward said stationary member and with relation to the keeper andthe bolt.

2 A latching mechanism applicable to a stationary member and a movableclosure member, comprising a keeper to be carried by one of saidmembers; a movable bolt to be carried by the other of said members andengageable with the keeper, and means exerting opposing "thrusts againstthe bolt and closure member to hold the bolt against the keeper and atthe same time to bodily move the closure member toward said stationarymember and with relation to the keeper and the bolt.

3. A latching mechanism applicable to a stationary member and a swingingclosure member, comprising a keeper to be carried by one of saidmembers, a keeper-engaging bolt to be carried by the other of saidmembers and bodily movable relative thereto, and-spring-urged cam meansoperable to hold the bolt against the keeper and at thesame time toswing the closure member toward said stationary member and with relationto the keeper and the bolt.

4. A latching mechanism applicable to a stationary member and a swingingclosure member, comprising a keeper to be carried by one of saidmembers, a bolt to be carried by the other of said members and movableto a position of latched engagement with the keeper, the bolt beingbodily movable relative to said other member, and means operable to holdthe bolt against the keeper and at the same time to swing the closuremember with relationto the keeper and bolt toward said stationary memberfrom the position had by the closure at said bolt position of latchedengagement with the keeper. 5. A latching mechanism applicable to a 'stationary member and a swinging closure member, comprising a keeper to becarried by one of said members, a bolt to be carried by the other ofsaid members and bodily movable relative thereto, spring means forprojecting the bolt into' latched engagement with the keeper, and meansoperable independently of said spring 'means to hold the bolt againstthe keeper and at the same time to swing the closure member toward said.

stationary member and with relation to the keeper and the bolt.

6. A latching mechanism applicableto a stationary member and a swingingclosure member, comprising a keeper to be carried by one of saidmembers, a pivotally movable keeper-engaging bolt to be carried by theother of said members and bodily movable relative thereto, and cam meansoperable to hold the bolt against the keeper and at the same time toswing the closure member toward said stationary'member and with relationto the keeper and the bolt.

7. A latching mechanism applicable to a stationary member and a movableclosure member, comprising a keeper to be carried by one of saidmembers, a pivotally and bodily movable bolt tobe carried by the otherof said members, spring means for projecting the bolt into latchedengagement with the keeper, and cam means operable independently of saidspring means to hold the bolt against the keeper and at the same time tobodily move the closure toward said stationary member and with relationto the keeper and the bolt.

8. A latch mechanism applicable to a stationary member and a swingingclosure member, comprising a keeper to be carried by one of said amembers, a keeper-engaging bolt to be carried members, a movable bolttobe carried by the other of said members and engageable with the keeper,an element pivotally connected to the bolt and associated therewith sothat movement of said element urges the bolt against the keeper, andspring-urged cam means applying force to said element to hold the boltagainst the keeper and at the same time to bodily move the closuremember toward said stationary member and with relation to the keeper andthe bolt. 10. A latch mechanism applicable to a stationary member and amovable closure member, comprising a keeper to be carried by one of saidmembers, a movable bolt to be carried by the other of said members andengageable with the keeper, an oscillatory element movable pivotallyrelative to the bolt to urge the bolt against the keeper, and cammeansmovable with said ele-. ment and applying force thereto to hold' thebolt against the keeper and at the same timeto bod- 1 ily move theclosure member toward saidstationi I with relation to-the keeper and arymember and bolt.

'11. a latching mechanism applicable to a stationary member and amovable closure member,

comprising a keeper to be carried by one of'said members, a movableboltmounting carried by the.

other of said members, a bolt carried by said mounting and engageablewith the keeper, a? spring for p Oiecting saidlbolt in the path of thekeeper, and cam means for actuating said mountingwhile the boltengagesthekeeper, said cam means acting independently ofsaid spring tourge the keeper in said latchedposition and at the same time to swingthe closure member toward: said stationary member and with relation tothe" and hold .the'boli; against the keeper while the spring'holds thebolt against anti-latching movement relative to the keeper. r

12. A latching mechanism applicable to a stationary member and a movableclosure member, comprising a keeper to be carriedby one of said members,a pivotally movable bolt actuating ele-,-

ment, a spring projected bolt initiallym'ovablei I against the keeperand then into latched engage-i mentQtherewith, and means for exertingagainst said'element a force tending to urge the bolt againstthe keeperindependently of said spring, said element being pivotally movable inone direction by virtue or engagement of the bolt with the keeper duringan initial closing movement of said closure member, and being urged bysaid means to move pivotallyin an opposite direction when the bolt movesinto latched engagement with the keeper upon continued closing movementof said} closure member.

' 13. A latch mechanism comprising a keeper, aj bolt actuating element,a bolt movable to a posi-;

tion'of latched engagement with the keeper, yielding means maintainingthe bolt in the path of the keeper, and cam means for actuating saidelement independently of said yielding means-to. force the bolt againstthe keeper in the latched position of the bolt. r 1 14. A latchingmechanism applicable to a sta-;

tionary member and a movable closure member,

comprising akeeper-engaging bolt carried by said closure member, meansforming a bearing shoulder on said closure, a keeper structurecomprising a first abutment adapted to bear against said shoulder and toblock movement thereof in one: direction, a second keeper abutmentspaced from andin opposing relation to said first abutment, said secondabutment being adapted to block:

tion, a spring acting to project the bolt into the j path of said secondabutment, and cam means exerting opposing forces against theclosure'mem- 1 ber and bolt to hold the bolt against said second 1movement of the bolt in a closure opening direcposition, means operableto thrust the bolt against keeper and the bolt, and a releasing memberoperable to release, said bolt thrusting means when the bolt is inlatched engagement with the keeper and to then release the bolt fromthe-keeper.

17. A latch mechitnism comprising a case, a bolt engageable with akeeper, a member movable relative. to the bolt and associated therewithso that movement of said member movesthe bolt in latching relation withthe keeper, mean associated with said case and forming a stationarybearing surface, and'a spring-urged cam engageable with said surface andoperable to actuate said member to move the bolt in said latchingrelation with the keeper. 1

- 18. A-latch mechanism comprising a case, a pivotally movable boltengageable with a keeper, a movable member supporting the bolt forbodily movement thereof, said member being movable relative to the boltto move the bolt in latching relation with the keeper, means pivotallysupporting said .member, means associated with said case and forming astationary bearing surface, and a spring-urged cam pivotally connectedto said member and operable to' actuate said member to move the bolt insaid latching relation with the keeper. 1 1

19. A latch mechanism comprising a keeper, a pivotally movable carriermember, a pin carried by said member and having bodily oscillatorymovement therewith, a bolt engageable in latched condition with saidkeeper and pivotally carried by said pin, a campivotally carried by saidpin, a spring urging said cam tocause movement of said member andadvancement of the bolt in a latching direction, and a spring resistinganticarried by said pin, a cam pivotally carried by said pin, a, springurging said cam to cause movement or said member and advancementof thebolt in.

a latching direction, a spring resisting anti-latching rotation of thebolt relative to said'member,

abutment while engaging said shoulder with said first abutment and tobodily moveflsaid closure 1 relative to the bolt and said secondabutment.

15. A latching mechanism applicable to a stav tionarymember and aswinging closuremember, 1

comprising akeeper to be carried by one of said 1 members,- akeeper-engaging bolt to be carried by the other or: said members andbodily movable i t l relative thereto, means operable to hold the boltin latched engagement against the keeper and at 1 the same time to swingthe closure member toward said stationary member and withrelation to thekeeper and the bolt, and means operable to release said holding meansand to then release I the bolt from latched engagement with the keeper.5 16. A latching mechanism ap licable to a stae 1 the other of said:members and bodily movable 1 relative thereto,said .bolt being movablein a re- 1 tracting direction by engagement with the keeper and meansoperable sequentially to release said cam and to retract the bolt fromthe keeper. J

21. A latching mechanism applicable to alstationary member and aswinging closure member, comprising a keeper to be carried by one ofsaid members, a boltcarried by the other of said members and movable toa position of latched engagement with the keeper, thebolt being bodilymovable relative to said other member, means operable to hold the boltagainst the keeper while in said position and at the same time to :swingthe closure member toward said stationary member and withrelation to thekeeper and the bolt, and means rendering said holdingw means ineffectiveto resist movement of the bolt at said position out of latchedassociation with-the keeper.

22. A latching mechanismjapplicable to a stationary member and aswinging closure member, comprising a keeper to be carried by one 01'said members, a bolt carried by the other of said members and movable toa-position of latched 1 engagement with the keeper, the bolt beingbodily movable relative to said other member, springmembers. a bolt tobe carried by the other of said members and bodily movable relativethereto, said bolt being movable along the keeper surlaoe into latchedrelation therewith, and a closure take-up mechanism operable to hold thebolt against the keeper and at the same time to swing the closure membertoward said stationary memher and with relation to the boltindependently of any appreciable bolt movement along said keeper 10surface.

A. ENDTER.

